Humanities News
What South Africa can learn from China’s quiet wisdom
South Africa can learn a great deal from China, not by copying its politics but by understanding how it builds relationships, trust and social harmony. That is the argument made by Dr Casper Lötter, a conflict criminologist at the North West University, who believes China’s way of thinking offers practical lessons for a deeply divided South…
Putting people at the centre of digital innovation
The Centre for Digital Humanities was born out of the realisation that the humanities are central to creating equitable digital futures for South Africans. “As digital humanists, we understand that technology exists within a network of human and more-than-human relationships,” says Prof. Janelize Morelli. “True digital…
Student social workers are ready to facilitate community change
By Gosego Phutieagae
When final-year social work students at the North-West University (NWU) gathered for their annual conference, their message was clear: transformation begins with small acts of service.
The subject group Social Work hosted the…
Neglect of indigenous languages amounts to a betrayal of revolutionary ideals
Prof Gilbert Motsaathebe
Once seen as a bastion of multiracial, multicultural and multilingual values, South Africa now stands accused of turning its back on the very linguistic and cultural diversity that made it a symbol of unity. This was the cautionary message from Prof Gilbert Motsaathebe, a…
Optentia Research Unit launches ground-breaking short courses for support staff
The Optentia Research Unit at the North-West University (NWU) has officially launched two innovative hybrid short courses designed to build mentoring capacity and strengthen professional development among university support staff. These short courses, which were developed and presented in collaboration with People and Culture at the NWU,…
Tri-campus triumph for the Industry Summit of the School of Communication
The second annual Industry Summit of the School of Communication brought together nearly 600 students across the North-West University (NWU) campuses in October 2025, marking a significant milestone in Prof Lida Holtzhausen's vision to connect communication students directly with industry leaders.
Under the theme “Fool-proofing yourself…
Colloquium explores how labour migration has shaped South Africa and Africa
By Mzwandile Ndlovu
Labour migration has featured prominently in South Africa since diamonds and gold were discovered in the 1800s. Migration continues today as people move cross South Africa and Africa in search of new opportunities and a better life.
The subject of migration that took centre stage at a…
Academics champion well-being and decent jobs at international conference
Two leading scholars from the North-West University (NWU) took centre stage at the International Conference on Emerging Trends in Psychosocial Well-being (ETPW2025), hosted by the University of Namibia. Their contributions highlighted the critical link between decent jobs, mental health and human flourishing – issues at the heart of national…
Graduate builds international partnerships in higher education
By Gofaone Motsamai
Thanks to the interest and mentorship of her lecturers, North-West University (NWU) alumnus Seipelo Kgosiejang is playing a key role today in advancing South Africa’s higher education agenda on the continent and globally.
In her current role in international relations at the…